Convenience 2013 vs 1993 Whats changed?

Jeff Rogut
Twenty years seems like a long time (in politics 24 hours can sometimes be a lifetime) but what has changed in our industry in that time?
Looking back at our AACS ‘State of the Industry’ reports for 1993 and 2013 some interesting facts appear and I have documented a few of these below for your interest. You will see some categories that have declined dramatically, some have increased substantially and a few have remained similar in terms of their percentage of merchandise sales.

Some of the brands from 1993 that are no longer seen: Food Plus, Quix Food Stores, Quicktrip, Road Pantry, Shell Select and Burmah, whereas in 2013 we see entrants such as Coles Express, Woolworths petrol, On the Run, United and a number of others.
The challenge for our industry is to remain relevant, innovative and to not only adapt to customer needs, but to work harder at anticipating these through great insights and research and then having innovative products and/or services available at the ‘right’ time. Lifecycles are much shorter today and we need to keep moving…..just as our customers are.